The Before Picture

Some people criticize me when I refer to myself as the Before Picture. They think I’m insulting myself. On the contrary, I feel as if I am motivating myself. I obviously have a different interpretation of the Before Picture.

To me, the Before Picture is referencing someone who sees there might be obstacles in their path, but none that cannot be overcome. Someone who is faced with a challenge and is attacking it head on. Someone who is looking to overcome whatever might have prevented them from success in their previous endeavors. Someone who is working towards a goal and is not afraid to let others see them as they were when they began their journey. Someone who understands their Before Picture is just that. Before. It is the past.

Everyone has their own battles to fight. Some by choice, some not.

I’m on a mission: My goal is to better pave my way to a healthy(er) life while, at the same time and more importantly, help provide support to find a cure for lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and help improve the lives of patients and their families.

Here’s how I hope to accomplish this: (I must admit, I never thought I’d be writing the following statement and actually have it be the truth.)

I will be participating in a 100 mile bicycle ride around Lake Tahoe in June (of this year!) I know, I know. But I really am!

I’ve lived life in my cushy comfort zone for far too long now. I’m not really sure how it happened, but I’m here to tell you, by signing up to do this ride I’ve left that warm abode so far behind I can barely see the glowing porch light above the front door.

Completing this ride will take a great deal of physical and emotional stamina. It will be time consuming and physically and emotionally draining at times, I’m sure. Each time I roll away on my bike, wondering how I can possibly ride any further with sore muscles, frustration and fatigue, I will be reminded that no matter how challenging this task is to me, it is nothing compared to the challenges faced by those suffering with the effects of leukemia, lymphoma and other blood related cancers.

I will not be alone: I’ve have joined forces with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program. After looking into the group, I determined it would be a great way to commit to an exercise program with a fantastic goal. Team in Training helps people like me, who have never even considered participating in endurance sports, get across the finish line.

The training program is comprehensive and will include training every Saturday morning, along with most week nights up until race day.

Now that I have joined, I have a greater understanding of the purpose of the organization and the cause it helps to support.

The need is critical: An estimated 957,902 people in the United States are living with, or are in remission from, leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma. Every four minutes, someone new is diagnosed with blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies.

Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children under the age of 20. Lymphomas are the most common blood cancers and incidence increases with age.

The survival rate for myeloma is only 38.5 percent. Incidence is nearly twice as high among African Americans as for all other races.

Every dollar raised will be a dollar more towards helping someone who is suffering and battling put their Before Picture where it belongs: the past.